Optical element having an electrochromic apodized aperture and an aperture body forming an electrochromic apodized aperture

ABSTRACT

An optical element includes an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an applied electrical current. The apodized aperture includes an aperture body including an area defining the clear aperture area, the body having a fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area, and includes at least one fill passage extending from the fluid containment area to at least one fill port outside of the clear aperture area; an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area and having variable light transmittance in response to an applied electrical current; a cover attached with the electrochromic fluid between the cover and body; electrical contacts electrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplying electrical current thereto; and at least one passage seal in each said fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/525,382 entitled “Optical Element Having anElectrochromic Apodized Aperture, an Aperture Body Forming an ApodizedAperture and Method of Making Same” filed Aug. 19, 2011, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to optical elements incorporating anelectrochromic apodized aperture and an aperture body configured to forman electrochromic apodized aperture. Since essentially the advent ofphotography, adjustable camera settings have been critical in obtainingcorrectly exposed pictures. These adjustments include “shutter speed”which relates to the adjustable exposure time of the “film”, “filmspeed” which related to a choice of “film sensitivity”, and lensaperture which relates to an adjustable diaphragm in the lens. Inaddition to affecting the film exposure, these adjustments also provideother essential benefits. For example, the shutter speed adjustmentallows the photographer to freeze in time a fast moving scene. The filmspeed allows the photographer to get the desired grain in the image. Thelens aperture adjustment allows the photographer to get the desireddepth of field.

In digital cameras, the electronic shutter control (which relates to theadjustable integration time of the image sensor) often replaces themechanical shutter but does not eliminate the need for the lens apertureadjustment. Even in digital cameras the lens aperture adjustment remainsan indispensable tool to photographers, not only to control the amountof light impinging on the imaging sensor but also to achieve the desireddepth of field.

Currently, the most common form of lens aperture adjustment is themechanical iris diaphragm or mechanical “iris”. The conventionalmechanical iris consists of multiple blades, which can be moved withrespect to each other so as to form a pseudo-circular adjustably sizedpolygonal aperture. The blades are often attached to an inner ring andto an outer ring that are moved relative to each other to adjust theopening size of the mechanical iris.

Most film cameras and many digital cameras incorporate a mechanical irisor some other form of lens aperture adjustment, e.g., a rudimentaryaperture wheel. There are some notable exceptions to this general rule:such as disposable film cameras, very-low-cost digital cameras and thecamera unit found in most cell phones camera modules. The main reasonfor not using a lens aperture adjustment in these areas is the cost ofincorporating such a dynamic component. In addition to the prohibitiveprice there can be durability issues associated with mechanical irisdesigns. Durability of components is critical in cell phoneapplications. Thus almost all cell phone cameras modules do not includea lens aperture adjustment.

Cell phone cameras modules were not originally designed as replacementsfor traditional cameras. Cell phone camera modules were generallysupposed to produce acceptable images in dim light conditions without aflash. For this reason, cell phone cameras modules have generally beenfitted with lenses with a large fixed aperture, e.g., f/2.8, to maximizesensitivity at the expense of the depth of field. Cell phone camerasmodules have typically relied on the electronic shutter to adjust theexposure level. Consequently, most existing cell phone camera modulesproduce questionable quality images at low-light level due toobjectionable shot noise and readout noise; and at high-light level dueto poor depth of field, such cell phone modules also typically produceimages with reduced sharpness due to lens aberrations and over exposure.

However, due to the enormous popularity of cell phones with cell phonecamera modules which are already outselling film and digital cameras,cell phone camera modules are now poised to effectively replacetraditional cameras.

Cell phone camera modules need to approach or match traditional cameraimage quality at a fraction of the cost of a traditional camera. Thisissue is further aggravated by price pressure and market demand for alarger number of pixels. As semiconductor technology progresses, imagesensors get more sophisticated and pixels get smaller thus requiring alens with a wider aperture in order to maintain the same sensitivity.This requirement conflicts with the need for a sharper lens, since awider aperture results in greater lens aberrations, and for an increaseddepth of field, since a wider aperture results in a reduced depth offield.

Some possible solutions for improved cell phone camera modules are theoptical auto-focus using a voice coil or a “liquid lens” and the“phase-mask” approach using image processing algorithms. A voice coilauto-focus adjustment type system is a mechanical solution thatincreases costs and component complexity in operation. In the case ofthe optical auto-focus using a liquid lens, the depth of field is notincreased. Rather, the focus simply is adjusted for a particulardistance. In the case of the phase-mask approach, the focus of the lensis, in fact, degraded. A phase-mask, which is placed on one of the lenselements, introduces a relatively constant amount of defocus throughoutan extended depth of field. The sharpness is then partially restored bydigitally using image processing algorithms. Unfortunately, thesharpness restoration algorithms also introduce a significant amount ofnoise in the image. It is clear that none of these solutions reallyeliminate the need for an adjustable lens aperture but there are nosuitable technical implementations fulfilling this need. Currentmechanical irises can be too expensive, too bulky, too fragile, orrequire too much power to satisfy the expected one-billion cell phonecamera module market. Further, current mechanical irises also can havethe disadvantage of diffraction through their circular aperture whichsignificantly degrades the image sharpness for small aperture settings,e.g., high f numbers such as f/5.6 or higher, particularly as the pixeldensity, number of pixels per square mm, continues to increase.

There have been several proposals in the patent literature that attemptto address these deficiencies, as well as general background patentsaddressing other aperture applications. A selection of these patents isdiscussed below.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,585,122, which is incorporated herein by reference,discloses an electro-mechanical adjustable aperture camera for cellphone camera modules, and the like, that is formed of at least twoelectrodes, and an electrical circuit for applying a voltage to theelectrodes in order to create an electric field between the electrodes.In addition, the construction comprises a center unit with a hole in themiddle as an aperture, where the center unit is made of anelectro-active material and placed essentially between the electrodes.The center unit is then deformed, expanded or retracted by applying theelectric field between the electrodes using the electrical circuitthereby adjusting the aperture in the center unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,929,220, which is incorporated herein by reference,discloses an adjustable apodized lens aperture constructed usingphotochromic material. As the excitation energy increases, the apertureconstricts so as reduce the amount of light through the aperture. As theexcitation energy decreases, the aperture dilates so as to increase theamount of light through the aperture. The solutions proposed in thispatent do not adequately address how to manufacture the proposedsolution to maintain the cost effective nature of the solution inpractice. Further the photochromic material can represent somedifficulties with response times and other excitation issues making it aless desirable choice than electrochromic material solutions.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,621,616 (“the '616 patent”), which is incorporatedherein by reference, discloses certain embodiments, shown in FIGS.14-16, providing an optical element having an electrochromic element fora camera that could be used as a shutter, variable light transmittancefilter, and iris simultaneously. The '616 patent notes that by utilizingan electrochromic element as an adjustable aperture, or iris, for thecamera, the mechanical iris that is commonly used in cameras, as well asany motorized mechanism for automatically adjusting such iris, may beeliminated. This allows a camera to be made more compact and lightersince there would be less moving parts. An additional advantage ofutilizing an electrochromic element as an adjustable aperture is that itallows for the depth of field of the image to be viewed to be varied inthe same manner as a mechanical iris unlike an electrochromic elementused as a variable transmittance filter, which changes its transmittancelevel uniformly across the element. The '616 patent notes that toconstruct an electrochromic element that may be used as an adjustableaperture, the electrochromic element should be configured to exhibit anon-uniform transmittance in response to an electrical signal applied tothe electrochromic medium within the element.

U.S. Published Patent Application Serial Number 2010-0134866, which isincorporated herein by reference, teaches the broad concept of anoptical element with an electrochromic apodized aperture having variablelight transmittance in response to the amplitude of an applied voltage.The apodized aperture includes (i) a first substrate having a planarinner surface and an outer surface, (ii) a second substrate having anouter surface and a non-planar inner surface opposing and spaced fromthe planar inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of theplanar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar innersurface of the second substrate has an at least partial layer oftransparent conductive material there over; and (iii) an electrochromicmedium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrateand the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate.

Additionally, of general interest includes the teachings of U.S. Pat.No. 7,158,268 which discloses a digital image scanner with a variableaperture lens wherein preferably the electronic variable aperture isprovided by use of electronically controlled polarization plates or byuse of electrochromic substances. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,526,454 and 5,471,339also provide two specific examples of electrochromic substances beingused for electronic apertures for lens systems wherein in each of thesecited patents, electronic diaphragms are described that are capable ofhaving more than two selectable apertures for light transmittance. U.S.Pat. No. 6,426,492 discloses a vehicular imaging system which includesan electro-optic aperture which is operable to selectively attenuatecaptured light passing through at least one region of the electro-opticaperture. Additionally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,555,069, 5,387,958, 4,554,587,and 4,256,372 provide examples of cameras utilizing electrochromic lightfilters, wherein in each of these patents, the electrochromic lightfilter exhibits substantially uniform transmittance levels and are usedin combination with the mechanical irises.

The broad electrochromic apodized aperture solutions of the prior artsuch as particularly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,621,616 and/or U.S.Published Patent Application Serial Number 2010-0134866 need to beimplemented in a manner that is cost effective for efficient large scalemanufacturing. It is an object of the present invention to developoptical elements incorporating an electrochromic apodized aperture, andaperture body designs configured to form an electrochromic apodizedapertures and methods of making the same suitable for efficient,effective manufacturing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments and examples of the present invention aspresented herein are understood to be illustrative of the presentinvention and not restrictive thereof and are non-limiting with respectto the scope of the invention.

The present invention provides an aperture body configured to form anelectrochromic apodized aperture of an optical element. The aperturebody comprises an area defining the clear aperture area; a fluidcontainment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area; atleast one fill passage extending from the fluid containment area; and atleast one fill port at a distal end of each fill passage at a positionoutside of the clear aperture area.

Further, the present invention provides an optical element comprising anelectrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent. The apodized aperture comprises: (i) an aperture body includingan area defining the clear aperture area, the body including a fluidcontainment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area, thebody including at least one fill passage extending from the fluidcontainment area to at least one fill port at a distal end of the fillpassage at a position outside of the clear aperture area; (ii) anelectrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantiallyoverlapping the clear aperture area and having variable lighttransmittance in response to an applied electrical current; (iii) acover attached to the body with the electrochromic fluid between thecover and the body; (iv) electrical contacts configured to beelectrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplyingelectrical current thereto; and (v) at least one passage seal in eachsaid fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area.

The present invention also provides an aperture body configured to forman electrochromic apodized aperture of an optical element. The aperturebody comprises an area defining the clear aperture area; and a recesssubstantially overlapping the clear aperture area, wherein the recessdefining the fluid containment area has a depth which is generallydecreasing in a direction toward the center of the recess.

Additionally the present invention provides an optical elementcomprising an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable lighttransmittance through an aperture area in response to an appliedelectrical current. The apodized aperture comprises: (i) an aperturebody including an area defining the aperture area, the body including afluid containment recess substantially overlapping the aperture area,wherein the recess defining the fluid containment area has a depth whichis generally decreasing in a direction toward the center of the recess;(ii) an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment areasubstantially overlapping the aperture area and having variable lighttransmittance in response to an applied electrical current; (iii) acover attached to the body with the electrochromic fluid between thecover and the body; and (iv) electrical contacts configured to beelectrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplyingelectrical current thereto.

The present invention also is directed to a method of making an opticalelement including an electrochromic apodized aperture having variablelight transmittance through a clear aperture area in response to anapplied electrical current. The method comprises the steps of: (i)forming an aperture body including an area defining the aperture area,the body including a fluid containment area substantially overlappingthe aperture area; (ii) forming a cover for the aperture body (iii)attaching the cover to the aperture body; (iv) following the attachingof the cover to the body, filling the fluid containment area with anelectrochromic fluid having variable light transmittance in response toan applied electrical current, and (v) sealing the electrochromicapodized aperture.

The invention also is directed to a method of making an optical elementincluding an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable lighttransmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an appliedelectrical current. The method comprises the steps of: (i) pressing anaperture body including an area defining the aperture area, the bodyincluding a fluid containment recess in the body substantiallyoverlapping the aperture area, wherein the body is pressed at a cycletime of less than 10 seconds; (ii) forming a cover for the aperturebody; (iii) filling the fluid containment area with an electrochromicfluid having variable light transmittance in response to an appliedelectrical current, and (iv) sealing the electrochromic apodizedaperture.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified inthe description of the preferred embodiments taken together with theattached Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view of an optical element including anelectrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of an optical element includingan electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a schematic top plan view of the optical element of FIG. 2Awithout an element positioning feature;

FIG. 3 is a schematic section view of he optical element of FIGS. 2A andB;

FIG. 4A is a schematic top plan view of an optical element including anelectrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a schematic perspective section view of the optical elementof FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a schematic top plan view of an optical element including anelectrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a schematic top plan view of an optical element including anelectrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a schematic top plan view of an optical element including anelectrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a schematic top plan view of an optical element including anelectrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a schematic top plan view of an optical element including anelectrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a schematic perspective section view of the optical elementof FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8A is a schematic top plan view of an optical element including anelectrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent according to a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8B is a schematic perspective section view of the optical elementof FIG. 8A;

FIG. 8C is a schematic perspective section view of an optical elementincluding an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable lighttransmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an appliedelectrical current according to a further embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of an assembly plant for assembling theoptical element according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart schematically illustrating the assembly stepsfor assembling the optical element according to the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a top plan view of a Gaussian apodized aperture and anassociated curve of light transmittance across the aperture;

FIG. 11B is a top plan view of a flat topped Gaussian apodized apertureand an associated curve of light transmittance across the aperture;

FIG. 11C is a top plan view of a fuzzy edge fiat topped Gaussianapodized aperture; and

FIGS. 12A-D are cross sectional views of optical elements including anelectrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittancethrough a clear aperture area in response to an applied electricalcurrent according to one embodiment of the present invention in whichthe cover and or the body include a defined curvature for forming anoptically powered electrochromic apodized aperture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, allnumbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions and soforth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as beingmodified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unlessindicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in thefollowing specification and attached claims are approximations that mayvary depending upon the desired properties to be obtained by the presentinvention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit theapplication of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims,each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of thenumber of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques.

Not withstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numericalvalues set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely aspossible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certainerrors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in theirrespective testing measurements.

Also, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein isintended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, arange of “1 to 10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between (andincluding) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum valueof 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and amaximum value of equal to or less than 10.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the articles “a,”“an,” and the include plural referents unless expressly andunequivocally limited to one referent.

The various embodiments and examples of the present invention aspresented herein are each understood to be non-limiting with respect tothe scope of the invention. The term “including” and like terms mean“including but not limited to.”

As used in the following description and claims, the following termshave the meanings indicated below:

An electrochromic medium is any organic or inorganic substance thatchanges color or transparency with the application of electricity. Manyelectrochromic materials will have a degree of color change betweenextremes generally proportional to the amount of voltage applied to themedium.

An electrochromic fluid references any electrochromic medium that isflowable during at least assembly of the associated component. Thisincludes conventional electrochromic fluids, as well as electrochromicgels, electrochromic polymerizable materials, possibly electrochromicgasses, and even electrochromic solids such as micro-beads. Thus, withinthe meaning of the present application a electrochromic fluid may butneed not be “flowable” in the optical device in use, as it need only beflowable at the time of assembly of the optical device.

As used herein, the term “apodized” and related terms (e.g., apodizing,apodization, etc.) refer to an aperture that has a substantially smoothand gradual transition along its radius from the greatest percentage oftransmitted light (e.g., at the center point or centralized area of theaperture) to the lowest percentage of transmitted light (e.g., at theedges of the aperture). Thus the transmittance curve may have a smoothand gradual transition across the entire diameter of the optical elementaperture 10 as shown in FIG. 11A discussed below, or may have a centralarea for the aperture 10 defining the greatest percentage of transmittedlight as generally shown in FIGS. 11B and C described below whichresults in a truncated transmittance curve.

As noted, one example of what might be termed a fully apodized aperturewould be one for which light transmittance (T) varies along its radius(x) as a Gaussian curve at least till the point of greatest percentageof transmitted light as shown in FIGS. 11A-C. When employed as anoptical element, for example, as a camera iris, the electrochromicapodized aperture 10 of the present invention emulates the pupil of thehuman eye in that it facilitates automatic “dilation” and“constriction”. As the excitation energy increases, the aperture 10constricts so as to reduce the amount of light through the lens. Theconstricting aperture 10 enabled by the present invention changes (i.e.,increases) the effective f-number of the lens system and thereforeincreases its depth of field. Similarly, as the excitation energydecreases, the aperture 10 dilates so as to increase the amount of lightthrough the lens. As the aperture 10 becomes completely transparent thefull aperture is limited only by the lens mechanical stop (assuming noother system elements serve as limiting factors). Thus, the apodizedaperture 10 as shown is characterized by a Gaussian radial transmittancecurve which is best illustrated in FIG. 11A. The thickness of theelectrochromic fluid increases from the center along a radius of theapodized aperture 10 to the outer edge of the clear aperture area 25 andvaries with the non-planar (e.g., convex) inner surface of the base.Other transmittance curve configurations, or shapes, providingsubstantially smooth and gradual transition along its radius across theclear aperture area 25 from the greatest percentage of transmitted light(near the center) to the lowest percentage of transmitted light (at theouter edge of the clear aperture area 25) are possible, such asLorentzian curves. Some configurations providing an apodized apertureare “flat top” curves, also known as truncated curves, which areessentially where there is a central area of greatest percentage oftransmitted light. Thus frusto-Gaussian and frusto-Lorentzian curves,also called truncated curves, could model the light transmittance acrossapodized aperture 10 for “flat top” such as the frusto-Gaussianconfiguration illustrated in FIG. 11B. In addition to a flat topstructure, the apodized aperture 10 of the invention may have a “fuzzyedge” flat stop configuration to soften the “fiat top” transition assuggested in FIG. 11C.

A “fuzzy edge” flat-top Gaussian aperture 10 as shown in FIG. 11C is anapodized aperture from the edge of the clear aperture area 25 to thecentral region according to the design of the island body shown, in oneembodiment, by concave 46 to the central apex 48 in FIG. 3. However,near the center, a laser etched circular pattern of the ITO coating(also referenced as Tin Doped Indium Oxide and commonly as Indium TinOxide) can provide a flat-top Gaussian, but an irregular etched patternof the ITO coating could also provide a “fuzzy edge” flat top Gaussianas shown in FIG. 11C. For example, by laser etching a series of wedge ortriangular patterns radially about the flat top region, as exemplifiedin FIG. 11C, the sharp or hard edge change from apodized Gaussian to theflat top can be “softened”.

The clear aperture area 25 is the maximum usable optical area or path inthe associated optical aperture. Currently the clear aperture area isabout 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm, although any area for the designatedapplication could be used. This limit is practically associated withcurrent camera sensors, however as new camera sensors become availablesmaller aperture areas are possible. The pupillary region is the area oflight transmission through the aperture, which area will vary with andwithout activation of the electrochromic fluid in the aperture of theinvention, and this pupillary region will generally be equivalent to theclear aperture area of the aperture of the invention.

In summary as shown in FIG. 1 the present invention provides anelectrochromic apodized aperture 10 which is an optical element formingan aperture using an electrochromic medium, specifically electrochromicfluid 26 (shown in FIGS. 8C and 12A-D and omitted from the remainingFigures for clarity) in a reservoir 40, wherein the light transmissionfrom the edge of the clear aperture area 25 to the center or to the areaof greatest light transmission is generally a smooth function as opposedto a step function in at least one operational state of theelectrochromic medium, as shown in FIGS. 11A-C. The electrochromicapodized aperture 10 has variable light transmittance through the clearaperture area 25 in response to an applied electrical current, with theresponse being generally proportional to the applied voltage. Theapodized aperture 10 comprises: an aperture body 30 including an areadefining the dear aperture area 25, the body 30 including a fluidcontainment area formed by recess 40 substantially overlapping the clearaperture area 25, the body 30 including at least one fill passage 50extending from the fluid containment recess 40 to at least one fill port52 at a distal end of the fill passage 50 at a position outside of theaperture area 25; an electrochromic fluid 26 within the fluidcontainment recess 40 substantially overlapping the clear aperture area25 and having variable light transmittance in response to an appliedelectrical current; a cover 20 attached to the body 30 with theelectrochromic fluid 26 between the cover 20 and the body 30; electricalcontacts 32 configured to be electrically coupled to the electrochromicfluid 26 for supplying electrical current thereto; and at least onepassage seal 29 (shown in FIG. 8C and omitted from the remaining Figuresfor clarity) in each said fill passage 52 positioned outside of theclear aperture area 25.

The aperture body 30 is the structural base of the electrochromicapodized aperture 10 of the invention, generally supporting theelectrochromic fluid 26 thereon. The aperture body 30 may be easilyformed of any glass, such as fused silica or fused quartz, oralternatively from polymeric substrate materials. Suitable glasssubstrates can include but are not limited to any of those widely known(e.g., fused silica and fused quartz or others as previously mentioned)and can include those having a refractive index of 1.40 or greater, or1.45 or greeter, such as 1.50 or greater, or 1.65 or greater. In aparticular embodiment of the present invention, the aperture body cancomprise a glass having a refractive index of 1.35 to 1.75. Fused quartzforming the body 30 may offer some manufacturing advantages by allowingfor rapid pressing of the substrate to form the body 30, improvingmanufacturing speeds for a given line. Suitable polymeric substrates forthe body 30 also includes without limitation polycarbonate, polystyrene,polyurethane, polyurethane(urea), polyester, polyacrylate,polymethacrylate, poly(cyclic) olefin, polyepoxy, copolymers thereof, ormixtures of any of the foregoing. The polymeric substrates forming thebody 30 can comprise a combination of any of the foregoing substrates,for example, in the form of a multilayer laminate. The polymericsubstrates forming the body 30 can be formed by any manufacturingmethods known in the art such as by casting or molding, e.g., injectionmolding, techniques. In a particular embodiment of the present inventionthe polymeric substrate forming the body 30 comprises polycarbonates,poly(cyclic) olefins, polystyrenes, polyurethanes, polymethacrylates,co-polymers of any of the foregoing materials, or mixtures of any of theforegoing.

The use of quartz may allow for rapid pressing, and much faster cycletimes than with conventional pressed glass components. The small size ofcomponents of the aperture of the invention may offer less stressconcerns than pressing larger glass objects because far less mass ofmaterial is berg moved, wherein a variety of glass materials can alsoyield the rapid production found with pressing quartz. Further theinvention contemplates pressing individual components as well aspressing an array of components simultaneously.

Typically, both the aperture body 30 and cover 20 of the aperture 10 aretransparent (i.e., optically clear), however for some applications oneor both may be tinted or otherwise colored. As used herein, by“transparent” is meant a substrate that has a luminous transmittance ofat least 70 percent. The substrates forming the body 30 and cover 20 ofthe invention may have a luminous transmittance of at least 80 percent,or at least 85 percent. Suitable polymeric substrates can includewithout limitation those having a refractive index ranging from 1.30 to1.75, such as from 1.35 to 1.70.

The aperture body 30 includes a pair of distinct layers of transparentconductive material or electrical contacts 32 there over. The conductivematerial 32 can be selected from any of those widely known in the fieldof electrochromic devices. For purposes of the present invention, theconductive material 32 typically comprises a transparent conductivematerial selected from ITO, carbon nano-tubes, gold, tin oxide,fluorine-doped tin oxide, aluminum zinc oxide, and/or one or moreconductive polymers. Non-limiting examples of suitable conductivepolymers can include poly(acetylene), poly(pyrrole), poly(thiophene),poly(aniline), poly(fluorene), poly(pyridene), poly(indole),poly(carbazole), poly(azine), poly(quinone), poly(3-alkylthiophene),polytetrathiafulvalene, polynaphthalene, poly(p-phenylene sulfide),and/or poly(para-phenylene vinylene). For a detailed discussion ofsuitable conductive polymers, see Handbook of Conducting Polymers,2^(nd) ed., rev'd., Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York 1998. In the opticalelement formed by aperture 10 of the present invention, the at leastpartial layer of transparent conductive material 32 on body 30 providesa surface conductivity ranging from 1 to 1000 ohm(s)/square, for examplefrom 1 to 500 ohm(s)/square, such as from 1 to 100 ohm(s)/square, or 3to 80 ohms/square, or from 5 to 50 ohms/square.

One layer of conductive material is a lead 32 extending to the fluidcontaining area or recess 40 holding the electrochromic fluid 26. Theopposed layer or contact 32 extends from a contact receiving recess 34.The recess 34 is configured to receive a conductive material 27 (Shownin section views of FIGS. 12A-D and omitted from other Figures forclarity) intended to provide a large area of contact between contact 32and contacts 22 on the cover 20. The use of recess 34 and contactmaterial 27 is believed to provide a secure electrical coupling betweenthe aligned contacts 32 and 22. The use of the contact material 27within recess 34 may be more applicable for certain manufacturingmethods. Conventional electrical coupling techniques also may be used.

The body 30 can further include alignment mechanism 36 on an outer edgethereof as shown in the example of FIG. 2A, with the mechanism 36provided to facilitate manufacturing, by facilitating part holding andpart alignment. Other shapes or devices are possible such as notches orthe like to facilitate part alignment, pick up, handling, and placementwith the desired orientation. Element 36 is merely representative of avariety of alignment mechanisms.

The body 30 includes a recess 38 adapted to receive the cover 20 asshown. Additionally the body 30 includes a recess 40 formed therein toprovide a reservoir for the electrochromic fluid 26. The recess 40defining the fluid containment area has a depth which is generallydecreasing in a direction toward the center of the recess 40, andwherein the structure is generally symmetrical about a central axis. Therecess 40 is formed by an outer shoulder 42, generally circular in planview in the illustrated embodiments. It should be apparent the clearaperture area 25 is located within the area defined by shoulder 42.Adjacent shoulder 42 forming the recess 40 is an annular outer floor 44and then central concave structure 46 extending to a central apex 48.The shape illustrated is a spherical shape but a straight slope, andconcave/convex curves are also possible, namely most other shapes thatare also symmetrical about a central axis through apex 48. Furtherfrusto-spherical, frusto-conical and other “flat topped” configurationscould form the recess 40 with the apex 48 formed by the flat top tomechanically form the fiat top shape and fuzzy flat top shape of FIGS.11B and 11C.

Further in alternative embodiments where the aperture 10 is providingpower, i.e. the aperture 10 as a whole is also used as an optical lens,appropriate nonsymmetrical shapes for the surface forming recess 40would become possible. As shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 12B and 12Cthe back surface of the body 30 can be shaped to form a lens structureto accommodate adding optical power to the aperture 10. This can also bereferenced as forming a combined aperture/lens structure. Further, theaddition of optical power to the aperture 10 can be through simplespherical changes as well as aspheric configurations for the body 30and/or cover 20 (or through a separate lens structure) in order toreduce optical aberrations.

The cover 20 is generally formed of the same material as the body 30 andit may increase manufacturing speed to press the cover from quartzsimilar to the body 30, although any conventional transparent materialmay be suitable for forming the cover 20. The cover 20 includestransparent conductive material or electrical contacts 22 the same asmaterial 32 discussed above in connection with body 30. The contacts 22generally provide a lead from the electrochromic fluid 26 to theconductive material 27 in recess 34.

In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the first layer oftransparent conductive material 32 on the body 30 opposes and is spacedfrom the layer of transparent conductive material 22 on the cover 20.The spacing distance therebetween is dependent upon a number of factors,including but not limited to the concentration of the electrochromicmedium 26 and the topography of the recess 40. Taking into account suchfactors, the spacing distance is selected such that the coloration ofthe electrochromic medium 26 within the pupillary region of the apodizedaperture 10 is minimized or eliminated altogether.

The body 30 and the cover 20 can be electrically isolated in the centralpupillary region (generally at apex 48 of recess 40) to prevent a shortcircuit. An insulating material can be added to apex 48 to assure properelectrical isolation at the pupillary region or the contacts 32 and 22properly etched to avoid material in this region with the insulatingmaterial thereby electrically forming the flat top area shown in FIG.11B or the fuzzy edge flat top of FIG. 11C.

The fluid containment area formed by recess 40 is filled withelectrochromic fluid 26 disposed between the conductive layer 32 on thebody 30 and the conductive layer 22 on the cover 20. The electrochromicfluid 26 can comprise any of the electrochromic materials known in theart that is flowable at least at the time of assembly of the aperture20, and can be in any known form (for example, in the form of a liquid,a gel, a polymeric material, flowable solid). For example, theelectrochromic fluid 26 can be in the form of solvent-phaseelectrochromic medium. For purposes of the present invention, the terms“solvent-phase electrochromic medium” or “solution-phase electrochromicmedium” are intended to include electrochromic media in the form of aliquid as well as a gel. In a particular embodiment of the presentinvention, the electrochromic medium comprises a solvent-phaseelectrochromic medium in the form of a liquid. The electrochromic mediumincludes at least one electrochromic compound or dye, which varies incolor or darkness in response to an applied voltage. Typically, theelectrochromic medium used in the optical element of the presentinvention includes electroactive cathodic and anodic materials. Insolution-phase electrochromic media, the electrochromiccompound(s)/dye(s) are contained in a solution in an ionicallyconducting electrolyte. The material remains in solution whenelectrochemically reduced or oxidized.

Generally, the solvent-phase electrochromic fluid 26 contains at leastone anodic electroactive dye, at least one cathodic electroactive dye,and a small amount of salt(s) that is/are soluble in a suitable solvent.When a DC voltage is applied across the two respective transparentconductive layers (typically separated by a low K material, e.g. agasket or seal member 24), the anodic dyes are electrochemicallyoxidized at the surface of the anode and the cathodic dyes areelectrochemically reduced at the surface of cathode. Color formation isaccomplished when the molar extinction coefficient of the anodic dyeand/or cathodic dye in the solvent-phase electrochromic fluid 26, changewith their electrochemical reactions. Generally, at least one of thedyes undergoes a significant increase in extinction coefficient at awavelength in the visible range. These colored species are free todiffuse from the electrodes (i.e., the respective transparent conductivelayers) and meet each other in the bulk of the electrochromic fluid 26.A redox reaction takes place between the two electrochemically changeddyes to regenerate their respective original states (i.e., the bleachedor non-colored states). The final coloration of the apodized aperture 10is the result of equilibrium between the electrochemical reaction at theelectrode surfaces (i.e., the respective surfaces of the transparentconductive layers 22 and 32) and a diffusion controlled redox reactionin the bulk of the solvent-phase electrochromic fluid 26. In such a“self erasing cell”, a current at a given applied voltage is required tomaintain the apodized aperture 10 in the colored state. Without theapplied voltage, the cell will eventually return to its originalbleached state.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the electrochromic coloration within theelectrochromic apodized aperture 10 can be enhanced by applying aprogression of voltage pulses. The pulses can be applied either bypulsing voltage on and off, or by pulsing between two different appliedvoltages, and/or by pulsing to reverse polarity in order to reversecurrent flow direction. Coloration and de-coloration can be affected byadjusting (either individually or in any combination) the amplitude ofapplied voltage pukes (in either the positive or negative direction),the pulse time, and/or pulse frequency. In addition, modifications inpulse shape as well, such as sine, square, triangle, step, etc., may beused as well as pulse modulation techniques. These would alsoincorporate phase modulation techniques.

Also, it is contemplated that the apodized aperture 10 can be structuredto accommodate the resistive heating of the apodized aperture 10, forexample, through the use of a quick burst of battery power through oneor both of the transparent conductive layers 22 and 32. Heating theaperture 10 may serve to increase the kinetics of coloration of theelectrochromic fluid 26 and also to increase the rate of fading back tothe bleached state (“fade rate”).

The electrochromic fluid 26 employed in the optical element formed byaperture 10 of the present invention can comprise any of theelectrochromic compounds known in the art, including, for example,phenazine compounds, such as dihydro-phenazine compounds, and/ordipyridinium (i.e., viologen) compounds. Suitable non-limiting examplesof such phenazine compounds and the preparation thereof can includethose described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,987 at column 31, line 43, column34, line 7, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,902,108 at column 13, line 49 tocolumn 15, line 42, the cited portions of which are incorporated hereinby reference. Suitable non-limiting examples of viologen compoundsinclude those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,987 at column 34, line8-55, incorporated herein by reference. See also, Electrochromism andElectrochromic Devices, Monk et al., Cambridge University Press 2007,Chapter 11, pp. 341-373, incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Specific examples of suitable anodic electrochromic dyes caninclude but are not limited to 5,10-dihydro-5,10-dimethylphenazene,N,N,N,N′-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine, 10-methylphenothiazine,10-ethylphenothiazine, tetrathiafulvalene, ferrocene and derivativesthereof, and/or triarylamines and derivatives thereof. Specific examplesof suitable cathodic electrochromic dyes can include but are not limitedto 1,1′-diphenyl-4,4′-bipyridinium di-tetrafluoroborate,1,1′-di(n-heptyl)-4,4′ bipyridinium di-tetrafluoroborate,1,1′-dibenzyl-4,4′-bipyridinium di-tetrafluoroborate, and/or1,1′-di(n-propylphenyl)-4,4′-bipyridinium di-tetrafluoroborate.

In addition, the electrochromic fluid 26 also may include othermaterials such as solvents (e.g., polar aprotic solvents), lightabsorbers, light stabilizers, thermal stabilizers, antioxidants,thickeners or viscosity modifiers (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone), and freestanding gel, including polymer matrices. The electrochromic medium caninclude a solvent comprising propylene carbonate, benzonitrile,phenoxyacetonitrile, diphenyl acetonitrile, sulfolane, sulfolate, and/orphosphoramide. Other useful solvents can include, but are not limited tophosphoric esters such as tricresyl phosphate, cresyl phosphate and thelike, amides such as N,N-di-methylformamide, methylpropionamide,N-methylpyrrolidone, hexamethylphosphonamide, diethylformamide,tetramethylurea and the like, nitriles such as acetonitrile, sulfoxidessuch as dimethylsulfoxide, esters such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate,dioctyl phthalate and the like, carbonates such as propylene carbonate,ethylene carbonate and the like, lactones such as .gamma.-butyrolactone,ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone and thelike. Any of the aforementioned solvents maybe used singly or in anycombination. The viscosity of the solvent can influence the responsespeed of the electrochromic coloration. Thus, when higher responsespeeds are needed, solvents of lower viscosity typically are used.

Additionally, the solution-phase electrochromic fluid 26 can comprise adissolved electrolyte, for example, tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborateand/or tetrabutylammonium bromide to provide ionic conductivity to thesolution. Electrolyte materials suitable for this purpose are well knownin the art.

In the aperture 10 of the present invention, the refractive indices ofthe body 30, and the electrochromic fluid 26 can be substantially thesame. By “substantially the same” refractive index is meant that thedifference between the respective refractive indices of each of the body30, and the electrochromic fluid 26 is not more than +/−0.005, and in afurther example not more than +/−0.004, or in a further example not morethan +/−0.003, or in a further example not more than +/−0.002. Thus, thebody 30 and the composition of the electrochromic fluid 26 are selectedsuch that the respective refractive indices are substantially the same.Also, the respective refractive indices of the cover 20, and the body30, and the electrochromic fluid 26 can be substantially the same. Sucha “match” of refractive indices provides an optical element having nonet optical power.

It should be noted that if the differences between the respectiverefractive indices are greater than those values stated above, theoptics of the optical device in which the apodized aperture 10 isemployed (e.g., a cell phone camera module) could be modified to adjustfor this lack of refractive index matching. Simply put, in someinstances it may not be desirable to “match” the refractive indices ofthe cover 20, fluid 26 and body 30. In such instances, the optical powerof the optical element can be maintained by adjusting the variouscomponents of the optical element itself, and/or by adjusting one ormore of the components of the device in which the optical element formedby aperture 10 is employed. For example, when the apodized aperture 10is used in a cell phone camera module, the apodized aperture 10 can beused in conjunction with a camera lens having a particular power.Likewise, optical power can be introduced in one or both of the cover 20and body 30 of the apodized aperture 10 itself by changing the shape ofthe cover 20 and/or the base 30 to use the cover 20 and or base 30 as alens as shown in embodiments of FIGS. 12A-D. The embodiments of FIGS.12A and D curves the top of the cover 20 while the embodiments of FIGS.12B and C curve the bottom of base 30 to illustrate various lens modelpossibilities. Combinations of these lens possibilities, as well asadding separate lens to the aperture 10 are all possible embodiments toadd optical power to the aperture 10. Additionally the apodized aperture10 may also be used as a lens by balancing or controlling the respectiveshapes and refractive indices of the cover 20 and body 30, as well as byadjusting the refractive index of the electrochromic fluid 26 e.g., byblending solvents. Optical power can be provided to an optical elementof the present invention by a) at least one of the aperture body andcover is formed as a lens; b) electrochromic fluid with a refractiveindex different from the aperture body and/or cover is supplied; or c) acombination of a) and b).

In the optical element of the present invention, the electrochromicapodized aperture 10 can further comprise at least one seal member 24about the outer perimeter of the apodized aperture 10 and in contactwith the body 30 and the cover 20. The seal member 24 should becomprised of a material having good adhesion to glass and/or polymericsubstrate materials of the body 30 and cover 20, and to the conductivelayers 22 and 32. Also, the seal member 24 should exhibit lowpermeability for oxygen, moisture vapor and other gases, and should notinteract with or contaminate the electrochromic fluid 26 which it maycontact and partially contain (although recess 40 contains the majorityof the fluid 26). Suitable materials for use as the seal member 24include, but are not limited to thermoplastic, thermosetting and UVcuring organic sealing resins such as any of those known for use inliquid crystal devices. (See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,297,401, 4,418,102,4,695,490, 5,596,023, and 5,596,024.) Suitable materials for use as theperimeter seal member 24 are low K materials as mentioned above. Severalnon-limiting examples of suitable seal materials can include those basedon epoxy, polyolefin (such as polypropylene, polyethylene, copolymersand mixtures thereof), silicones, polyesters, polyamides and/orpolyurethane resins. Any of the aforementioned materials can besilane-modified to enhance the bonding thereof to the body 30 and cover20 materials, e.g. glass. Suitable adhesives can be used whereappropriate to adhere the seal member to the cover 20 and body 30.Alternatively, thermal bonding solvent fusing, or alternative fusingmethodologies could replace sealing member 24 in the aperture 10.

Also, it should be noted that of one or more adhesives such as any ofthose known in the art, can constitute the seal member 24. Suitableadhesives for the purpose can include but are not limited to adhesivesbased on thermoplastic, thermosetting and UV curing organic resins.Suitable adhesives can include, for example, those based on epoxy,polyolefin (such as polypropylene, polyethylene, copolymers and mixturesthereof), silicones, polyesters, polyamides and/or polyurethane resins.The use of solder glass materials such as those described athttp://www.us.schott.com/epackaging/english/glass/technical_powder/solder-.htmlis contemplated as well. Laser welding also could be utilized to sealthe components together.

An aspect of the present invention is the provision of at least one fillpassage 50 extending from the fluid containment recess 40 to at leastone fill port 52 at a distal end of each fill passage 50 at a positionoutside of the clear aperture area 25. The fill passages 50 are channelsformed in the body 30 that allow for electrochromic fluid 26 to flowinto the recess 40 during assembly of the aperture 40. The channels 50may be formed by molding, pressing, machining (e.g., laser machining,conventional mechanical machining), or chemical etching. The fill ports52 represent the entry location of the fluid 26 during assembly. Wherethe fill ports 52 are overlapped by the cover 20, cover fill ports (notshown) will be formed such as by drilling, molding or the like, and willalign with the fill ports 52 of the body 30 to allow for access of thefluid 26.

Additionally, the aperture 10 includes at least one passage seal 29 ineach said fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area 25.The seal 29 can be formed of the sealants discussed above for formingthe seal 24, provided the sealant is flowable at the time of assembly.

An exemplary floor plan for an assembly line shown schematically in FIG.9 will illustrate one possible operation for the assembly operation ofthe present invention. This exemplary overview describes the proposedproduction line as a whole. The majority of the production equipment maybe housed in a clean room to prevent particulate contamination of theparts during the various processes and transfers, with the generalexception of the grinding/lapping equipment, which generally should notbe included within the clean room. Alternatively, each component couldbe enclosed in a clean environment as opposed to a “clean room.”

The first pieces of equipment in the line would be a plurality ofprecision molding machines used to make the body 30 pieces in anon-isothermal process. The use of quartz for forming the body 30 may beadvantageous because quartz is not susceptible to many of the problemsencountered with precision glass molding. However nothing in the presentdiscussion is intended to suggest that the body 30 is limited to quartzstructures for the base 30 and/or cover 20. The cycle time would be lessthan 10 seconds, such as less than 5 seconds or generally about 2seconds. It is believed that an inert atmosphere is beneficial in thesemachines to avoid oxidation of the die surface. In general the maincomponents of each of the molding machines can be a molding dial ontowhich is mounted at least one molding die, a cooling dial, moldingchamber, exterior insulation/jacketing and preheat chambers. Parts canbe molded in the molding chamber, indexed out on the molding dial andtransferred to the cooling dial for cooling. Insulation and waterjackets may surround the molding dial to reduce and control heat loss tothe outside. The preheat chambers can warm the body dies to the correcttemperature just prior to pressing of the bodies 30. Alternatively theor member forming the body 30 may be heated to allow for pressing at anelevated temperature. The entire volume inside the insulation may bepurged with nitrogen to prevent oxidation of the dies and othercomponents. The nitrogen usage would be minimized while stillmaintaining a clean, oxygen free atmosphere. The molding chamber mayhave a several small view ports in the walls for viewing the processwith a thermal imaging camera.

These molding machines may feed the molded bodies 30 into a grinding,polishing and washing conveyor which will lap the back surface of thebodies 30 to an optical quality finish. The molding process may notrequire subsequent polishing and grinding, however such a station ifavailable can be selectively used to extend the useful life of the mold.These parts would be loaded, for example, into trays and loaded into aPVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating chamber to have a layer of ITO(32) deposited on them. The parts may further include an anti-reflection(AR) coating (not shown) on an exterior surface thereof as AR coatingsare known to vastly improve the efficiency of the optic by increasingtransmission, enhancing contrast and eliminating ghost images.Conventional AR coatings may be utilized as these are also very durable,with resistance to both physical and environmental damage. Aftercoating, the parts would be taken to an automated conveyor for furtherprocess steps. The first station on the conveyor can be a dual laserstation which would laser drill fill ports 52 into the bodies 30 andlaser etch a portion of the ITO coating 32. The bodies 30 would thencontinue down the conveyor to an assembly machine where they would bejoined to the covers 20.

The covers 20 may feed in from a separate section of the line where theymay be cut from quartz cane, coated with ITO (22), and laser etchedsimilarly to the bodies 32. Again, quartz is one of many alternativematerials for forming the covers 20. Further one side of the cover 20may be provided with a conventional AR coating to improve the efficiencyof the optic by increasing transmission, enhancing contrast andeliminating ghost images. Once the bodies 30 and covers 20 are assembledto form the framework for the iris assemblies they would be loaded intoa curing station which may be a batch curing oven. Alternatively, if asuitable UV cured adhesive is used, a curing oven would not be neededand the curing station would be merely appropriate UV lighting along theconveyor for a designated period of time. Once the adhesive has beencured, the assemblies would be loaded into a machine that would fillthem with electrochromic liquid 26 and seal the fill ports 52 with thesealant 29. The filled and sealed iris assemblies 10 would then beloaded into another PVD chamber and coated with an anti-reflective (AR)coating, if the parts are not earlier treated. This is the final stageof the proposed production line. Process steps that are not included inthis illustrated production line of FIG. 9 are, for example, packaging,gold plating, attaching any type of electrical leads to the irisassemblies 10, and providing features for attaching the assemblies 10 tocameras or cell phones.

FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart of the assembly process forclarification. The process starts with formation of the body 30 whichbegins with heating and pressing of the body from appropriate materialsuch as quartz cane followed by polishing and finishing. The ITO orother material forming contacts 32 are applied to the body 30 eitherthrough a mask or over the entire surface followed by selective coatingremoval. The body 30 and contacts 32 are cleaned and moved to where thebody is attached to the cover 20.

The cover 20 undergoes a similar process to the body namely thatformation of the cover 20 begins with heating and pressing of the cover20 from any appropriate material such as quartz cane followed bypolishing and finishing. The ITO or other material forming contacts 22are applied to the cover 20 either through a mask or over the entiresurface followed by selective coating removal. The cover 20 and contacts22 are cleaned and a seal member 24 is attached and the cover 20,contacts 22 and member 24 are moved to where the body 30 is attached tothe cover 20.

The body 30 and cover 20 are pressed together and sent to a curingstation, such as a curing oven or UV curing source, to couple theelements together. Alternatively laser welding, ultrasonic welding orother similar attaching techniques could be used to couple the body 30and the cover 20.

The fill ports 52 and channels 50 are used to first clean the recess 40and then fill the recess 40 with electrochromic fluid 26. Vacuum fillingis the preferred method of filling the recess 40. Following the fillingof the recess 40 the channels 50 are sealed with a sealing member 29 toclose of the recess 40. The unit is then cured to cure the addedsealant. The fill ports 52 in the body 30 and/or the fill ports in thecover 20 may also be sealed by laser welding as a possible sealingtechnique.

Following curing of the sealing members 29 in the channels 50 contactscoupled to contacts 32 are added and the product is dried, labeled,tested and packaged.

The above described process is essentially the same for all theembodiments disclosed in FIGS. 1-8, however the alternative embodimentspresent select advantages.

Initially turning to FIGS. 1 and 4A and B, these embodiments illustratea tortuous path channel 50 having a pair of fill ports 52 at the distalend thereof. The use of a pair of fill ports 52 allows for the cleaningsolution to “pass through” in one fill port and out of the other and canpossibly facilitate the movement of the channel sealing member 29 therethrough. The arcuate/circuitous path of the channel 50 allows anextended length for sufficient sealing member material 29 to adequatelyseal the channels 50. Further the provision of the fill ports 52 andchannel 50 outside of the clear aperture area 25 prevents the sealingmembers 29 from interfering with the optical qualities of the aperture10. The fill ports 52 are shown extending beyond the cover 52 so thatcover fill ports are not required.

FIG. 2A illustrates a positioning mechanism 36 discussed above and FIGS.2A and B further disclose embodiments of the invention that use fillports 52 in the body 30 that align with fill ports formed in the cover20. Again the fill ports 52 (and cover fill ports) are outside of theclear aperture area 25 as is the channel 50.

FIG. 5A illustrates an embodiment in which the radial extending channel50 extends to a single enlarged fill port 52 extending beyond the cover20. FIG. 5B illustrates an embodiment in which the radial extendingchannel 50 extends to a single fill port 52 extending to a peripheraledge of the body 20 to allow for radial filling.

FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment in which the channel 50 extends to asingle enlarged fill port 52 extending beyond the cover 20 similar toFIG. 5A except the channel 52 follows a circuitous path to provide foran extended length.

FIG. 6B illustrates an embodiment in which the channel 50 extends to afill port 52 aligned with a cover fill port provided in the cover 20with the channel 52 following a circuitous or arcuate path to providefor an extended length.

FIGS. 7A and B illustrates an embodiment in which the channel 50 extendsto a circular sealing member recess 54 and end in a pair of fill ports52 aligned with cover fill ports provided in the cover 20. Thisembodiment locates the sealing member 24 more precisely relative to thebody 20

FIGS. 8A and B illustrates an embodiment in which the channel 50 extendsto a single fill port 52 beyond the cover 20 with the channel 52following a circuitous or arcuate path to provide for an extendedlength.

Whereas particular embodiments of the invention have been describedabove for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilledin the art that numerous variations of the details of the presentinvention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

We claim:
 1. An optical element comprising an electrochromic apodizedaperture having variable fight transmittance through a clear aperturearea in response to an applied electrical current, the apodized aperturecomprising: (i) an aperture body including an area defining the aperturearea the body including a fluid containment area substantiallyoverlapping the aperture area, the body including at least one fillpassage extending from the fluid containment area to at least one fillport at a distal end of the fill passage at a position outside of theaperture area; (ii) an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containmentarea substantially overlapping the aperture area and having variablelight transmittance in response to an applied electrical current; (iii)a cover attached to the body with the electrochromic fluid between thecover and the body; (iv) electrical contacts configured to beelectrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplyingelectrical current thereto; and (v) at least one passage seal in eachsaid fill passage positioned outside of the aperture area.
 2. Theoptical element of claim 1, wherein at least one fill passage extends toat least two fill ports.
 3. The optical element of claim 1, wherein atleast one fill port aligns with a fill port extending through the cover.4. The optical element of claim 1, wherein the refractive index of theelectrochromic fluid substantially matches the refractive index of thebody.
 5. The optical element of claim 1, wherein at least one fillpassage extends along a circuitous path between each associated fillport and the fluid containment area.
 6. The optical element of claim 1,further including a cover seal between the cover and the aperture bodysubstantially surrounding the aperture area.
 7. The optical element ofclaim 6, wherein each fill port is positioned outside of the over seal.8. The optical element of claim 7, wherein at least one fill port alignswith a fill port extending through the cover.
 9. The optical element ofclaim 8, wherein the fluid containment area has a depth which isgenerally decreasing in a direction toward the center of the fluidcontainment area.
 10. The optical element of claim 1, wherein: a) atleast one of the aperture body and cover is formed as a lens; b)electrochromic fluid with a refractive index different than the aperturebody and/or cover is supplied; or c) a combination of a) and b) is usedto provide optical power to the optical element.
 11. The optical elementof claim 1, wherein the aperture body includes a recess defining thefluid containment area, wherein the recess defining the fluidcontainment area has a depth which is generally decreasing in adirection toward the center of the recess.
 12. An aperture bodyconfigured to form an electrochromic apodized aperture of an opticalelement, the aperture body comprising: an area defining the aperturearea; and a recess substantially overlapping the aperture area, whereinthe recess defining the fluid containment area has a depth which isgenerally decreasing in a direction toward the center of the recess. 13.The aperture body of claim 12, wherein the recess includes a shapesymmetrical about a central axis thereof, further including at least onefill passage extending from the fluid containment area, and at least onefill port at a distal end of each fill passage at a position outside ofthe aperture area.
 14. The aperture body of claim 13, wherein at leastone fill passage extends along a circuitous path between each associatedfill port and the fluid containment area.
 15. An optical elementcomprising an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable lighttransmittance through an aperture area in response to an appliedelectrical current, the apodized aperture comprising: (i) an aperturebody including an area defining the aperture area, the body including afluid containment recess substantially overlapping the aperture area,wherein the recess defining the fluid containment area has a depth whichis generally decreasing in a direction toward the center of the recess;(ii) an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment areasubstantially overlapping the aperture area and having variable lighttransmittance in response to an applied electrical current; (iii) acover attached to the body with the electrochromic fluid between thecover and the body; and (iv) electrical contacts configured to beelectrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplyingelectrical current thereto.
 16. The optical element of claim 15, whereinthe body further includes at least one fill passage extending from thefluid containment area to at least one fill port at a distal end of thefill passage at a position outside of the aperture area.
 17. The opticalelement of claim 15, further including at least one passage seal in eachsaid fill passage positioned outside of the aperture area.
 18. Theoptical element of claim 17, wherein at least one fill passage extendsalong a circuitous path between each associated fill port and the fluidcontainment area.
 19. The optical element of claim 15, wherein at leastone of the aperture body and cover is formed as a lens providing opticalpower to the aperture body.
 20. The optical element of claim 15, whereinthe recess includes a concave surface, which is generally circular inplane? view.